Moldova's NATO ambitions stir rising tension in Transnistria

As reported by Interia, Vadim Krasnoselsky, the leader of the separatist Transnistrian Republic, considered a Russian enclave, claims that the authorities in Chișinău are taking actions that increase tension in the region.

Moldova is increasing its military budget year by year. Annually, it receives unprecedented funds from foreign partners, he says.

According to him, in recent years, the government of Dorin Recean, with the support of President Maia Sandu, has pursued a course bringing the country closer to NATO structures. The politician also believes this is increasing internal tension, especially concerning autonomous regions.

- Politicians in Chișinău can say whatever they want, that this process is not happening, but the facts are undeniable and are such that Moldova is increasing its military budget year by year - said Krasnoselsky.

The propaganda created by the politicians of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic is not the first time it strikes at the Moldovan government, in the context of NATO and the West.

- Western countries' military units arrive almost every month to participate in joint exercises - calculates Krasnoselsky. He adds that in the last few months, the Moldovan army has received, among other things, American weapons in the form of 20 Humvee vehicles, as well as components of air defence systems and drones.

The country's militarization was also mentioned by, among others, the head of the local equivalent of the foreign ministry, Vitaliy Ignatiev, in an interview with the Russian agency RIA Novosti.

- Demonstrative injections for the Moldovan army. An unprecedented number of joint exercises with NATO contingents and the continuous gathering of reservists are hard to interpret otherwise than as military preparations - he argued.

Pro-Kremlin politicians also claim that it is the Western countries that are keen on continuously increasing tension in Moldova.

- The active militarization of one of the sides of the unresolved conflict raises concern not only among the residents of Transnistria but also within Moldova itself. It is clear to everyone that through such actions, Western countries are contributing externally to instability - concluded Vitaliy Ignatiev.

Transnistria - the separatist region of Moldova, a former republic within the USSR - in the early 90s declared independence from the authorities in Chișinău and, after a short war accompanied by Russian intervention, achieved almost complete independence. It has its own president, army, security forces, tax offices, and currency. No country, including Russia, has recognized Transnistria's independence, although the latter supports it economically and politically.